Ripple - Mandy Hubbard

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard

Publisher: Razorbill
Pages:260
Format I read it in: Paperback
Release Date: July 21 2011

From the back of the book:

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn't, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love--again.

Then Lexi finds herself torn. Against her better judgment, she's opening up again, falling for Cole--the best friend of her first love--who sees through her icy facade. But when a new boy at school with a secret of his own offers her the chance to finally life a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving up the one who believes in her most.

Review: I'm a little late to the game for reviewing Ripple, but then again, there aren't really any late to the game reviews when it comes to books now is there? Didn't think so.

This was a quick read for me, I finished it in a couple of hours. When I picked it up at the bookstore, I didn't know anything about it, the cover is gorgeous and the author is also an agent, that's it. I knew nothing about the actual story, I was expecting something mermaid-y from the title, I was not expecting Sirens and a Nix. A pleasant surprise, not to mention the romance the peeks through even though Lexi is standoff-ish, and she has a right to be.

When I started I couldn't put it down. I'd definitely recommend it for your summer reading lists

Reviewer: Ashe

What's next on my list?: The Kissing Booth - Beth Reckles

The Selection - Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection
Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages:327
Format I read it in: Audio and Paperback
Release Date: April 24th 2012

From the back of the book:

For thirty-five girls, 

the Selection is the change of a lifetime.

The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

 But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she brings to realize that the life she's dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Review: On the back of the book there is also a blurb from Kiersten White author of Paranormalcy, she says The Selection is " Charming, captivating, and filled with just the right amount of swoon!" and I agree wholeheartedly with this, though as to not be a lazy reviewer, I'll give you my review.

I found out about The Selection over a year ago, by Kiera's youtube channel actually, and it's her personality and enthusiasm that turned me onto the book. But, it took me forever to get around to reading it, partly because of school, partly because I was afraid it would disappoint me. Spoiler? It didn't.

This is when I switched to the audio book, which is amazing by the way. Then I was captivated by America's story, about her secret love with Aspen and her blooming friendship with the Prince. Turns out my putting it off was a good thing, because now I can tear right into The Elite!

America is funny, guarded and true to not only to herself but to those around her in the Selection. I can see why Aspen and Maxon both want her.

Reviewer: Ashe

What's next on my list?: Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

The Program - Suzanne Young

Title: The Program
Author: Suzanne Young

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 405
Format I read it in: Hardback
Release Date: April 30th 2013

From the back of the book:

I look back at James one last time, and he gives me his signature smile, wide and cocky. But it's not real. Sometimes I think it's never real. James is the best at hiding the pain, disguising the feelings. He knows what it takes to stay out of The Program. He'll keep us safe.

He promised. 

Review: This is possibly one of the most touching and suspenseful and down right frustrating book I've read recently. I am in love with it.

From the first chapter I knew this book had me, no from the first page. I tore through most of the book in just a few hours, only stopping to catch a little bit of sleep before getting at it again. It didn't take me long to finish it, needless to say.

There were times while reading The Program that I was rocking back and forth trying not to cry, and then there were times where I got so mad at two characters being so close but not knowing, that was the frustrating part. There was also a time where I had a brilliant AHA! moment. I'm trying not to give away so much of this book with this review, you'll have to read it for yourself, but it's so incredibly hard because I love it so much.

This is not just a book about teenage depression and suicide, it is a tale of meant to be, and love, and perseverance, and loss. It is so entirely captivating, and pulls at my feels with everyone page, and leaves me wondering if The Program is truly helping or harming.

I'm waiting on the second one!

Reviewer: Ashe

What's Up Next On My List?: The Selection - Kiera Cass

The Duke's Trumpet

Now, I don't usually post things like this, but I couldn't help it. This post is copied over from my personal writing blog, but I couldn't help but share it here as well, because truth is, I'm SO excited for her!

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It is my amazing friends release day, that friend is Claire E. Smith, you can find her in any of the links I've posted below.

Basically, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for pushing through all your obstacles and publishing Time & Heart book one: The Duke's Trumpet.

You know how much I love Bas, and now I'm super excited that so many other people get to enjoy him and Mimi and the entire cast of characters you have created and worked on for so long.

If you want to check out The Duke's Trumpet, you can find it on Amazon HERE

The Duke's Trumpet from Amazon. com

Going from shy bookworm to butt-kicking avenger isn’t easy, but somebody’s gotta do it….

All Mimi Mockel wants to do is read books 24/7. With nothing else to do on New Years Eve, she pays a visit to the New York City Public Library only to find they are closed for the evening. Spying an open window, she sneaks in and finds a mysterious book that appears to beckon to her.

She soon discovers the book is a rogue time-traveler’s diary and learns she has been chosen as the Prodigy. Suddenly, life is more complicated than Mom grounding her from her favorite library. Now she and her thirteen-year-old-brother Albert are thrust in a world where heroes aren’t read about, they’re made. And it’s up to her to save the future of 4218 from the terrible King Noctria who is winning a worldwide civil war.

When she learns that their-time traveling host, Sebastian “Bas” Barkley, is a notorious time thief, Mimi urges him to return everything he’s stolen from history, beginning with the trumpet of the legendary Duke Ellington. But Bas will only agree if she will learn alchemy as the Prodigy.

Soon she discovers a new world completely different from her own. Along the way, Mimi befriends others who are fighting for the cause. But when the cruel Ambassador of Time, Captain Deatherage, murders one of her friends, suddenly becoming the Prodigy just got personal.

Claire can be found around the internet:
Blog
Website
Twitter

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Maybe these release date celebrations should become a blog feature? What do you think?

-Ashe

Hell's Game- Teresa Lo

Title: Hell’s Game
Author: Teresa Lo
Publisher: Stull Printing
Pages: 268
Format I read it in: Ebook

From the back of the book: On Halloween night in Deer Creek, Kansas, Jake Victor, Ashley and Ashton Gemini, and Kristin Grace convince Ronnie Smalls to meet them at the town cemetery, which local folklore has always rumored to be the Gateway to Hell. Their intention was only to scare him, but soon the wicked prank becomes actual horror as the group learns the Gateway is all too real. After demons snatch Ronnie and drag him to Hell, the terrified foursome vow to keep what they had seen a secret.
Two years later, the group receives a mysterious letter, an invite to play a high-stakes game in Hell. If they win, they release Ronnie’s soul as well as their own from eternal damnation. If they lose, they are stuck in Hell forever. Choosing to play, they face nightmare after nightmare as each level escalates in intensity and forces them to face the seven deadly sins.
Inspired by the legends of the Gateway to Hell in Stull, Kansas, Hell’s Game explores the cruelty that teenagers can inflict upon each other as well as the horrors that exist amongst mankind. It is a dark, action-packed young adult novel that will both scare its readers and make them question the true meaning of evil.

Review: At the beginning as I was reading this book I was very worried, sure that I had read this somewhere else but as I read on I realized why I felt this way. The game that they are playing kind of reminded me of the forbidden game by L.J Smith but as I read on the game was nowhere near the same. I love the book and I wish that there was more to it. I want to know what happens after the game! This book kept my attention and I finished it super fast. The opening was a little slow but as soon as they get their marks I was on the edge of my desk chair not able to read fast enough!

Rate: For the reasons I have stated above I give this book from 1, I couldn't finish it to 10, unputdownable, I rank this book a 7!

Reviewer: Bec

Enchanted Glass - Diana Wynne Jones

[first book review since public school! Advice and pointers are very welcome!]

Title: Enchanted Glass
Author: Diana Wynne Jones

Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages/Format: 332
Released: September 3^rd, 2010

From the Back: When Andrew Hope’s magician grandfather dies, he leaves his house and field-of-care to his grandson who spent much of his childhood at the house. Andrew has forgotten much of this, but he remembers the very strong-minded staff and the fact that his grandfather used to put the inedibly large vegetables on the roof of the shed, where they’d have vanished in the morning. He also remembers the very colourful stained glass window in the kitchen door, which he knows it is important to protect.
Into this mix comes young Aidan Cain, who turns up from the orphanage asking for safety. Exactly who he is and why he’s there is unclear, but a strong connection between the two becomes apparent.
There is a mystery to be solved, and nothing is as it appears to be. But nobody can solve the mystery, until they find out exactly what it is!

Review: I first read a book by DWJ last summer, and I’m certain she’s got me hooked for good. I’m sad that I found out about her a little too late, as she passed away in March last year. As of August 16^th she would have been 78, so to honor her memory, I hope I convince you to read this book! (or any book by her, for that matter) 

It has every great element that a book by her has; fantastic characters with unforgettable personalities, unique magic, and several plots that somehow mash together to suddenly make sense in the end. It’s set in a world that is similar to ours, except that it contains magic and many folk that the characters call “those that don’t use iron” (fairies and the like). In the beginning, I was a little confused about everything, because it bombarded me with names of things and I didn’t know what they were, and so many characters pop up. What I love so much about that is as the story progresses, all is explained in its own time and everything wraps up quite nicely. It has a great twist at the end, but not the kind of twist you are expecting! 

All in all, if you love fairies and magic, you will love this book! Added into the mix is beautiful countryside, some romance, an adorable dog that isn’t quite a dog, rainy weather, and giant vegetables. What’s not to love? 

If you enjoyed Spiderwick, definitely check it out.

Reviewer: Kirsten

Shadow Sight- E.J. Stevens

Title: Shadow Sight
Author: E. J Stevens

Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Pages: 145
Format I read it in: Ebook
Release Date: July 24, 2012

From the back of the book: Welcome to Harborsmouth, where monsters walk the streets unseen by humans…except those with second sight, like Ivy Granger.
Some things are best left unseen...

Ivy Granger's second sight is finally giving her life purpose. Ivy and her best friend Jinx may not be raking in the dough, but their psychic detective agency pays the bills--most of the time. Their only worry is the boredom of a slow day and the occasional crazy client--until a demon walks through their door.

Demons are never a good sign...

A demon attorney representing the water fae? Stranger things have happened. And things are about to get very, very strange as a bloodthirsty nightmare hunts the city of Harborsmouth.

There's blood in the water...

Kelpies have a reputation for eating humans. Unfortunately, Kelpies are the clients. When an Unseelie faerie this evil stalks the waterways of your city, you have to make hard choices.

The lesser of two evils...



Review: I loved the series ‘She Smells the Dead’ also by E. J, it is one of my favorite werewolf series I have read. So when I saw an e-mail about this new series… well my internet couldn’t load fast enough for me to send an e-mail. I wanted this series and I am very lucky to have been able to read it as an ARC. This is the first in the new Ivy Granger series.

I started this book before I had to run into work, so I only read the first page before I had to go. And boy I regret starting this book before I had to go because I found myself staring at the clock waiting until I got off so I could rush home and read the rest of the book. And that is exactly what I did. I finished this book the day I started reading it. It was filled with motion, no huge fighting action until the end, but motion where I wasn’t waiting for the next thing to happen. I never felt like there were filler chapters.

I wish there had been more romance in this book, that really would have sold this book for me, but the hint of romance that might be in the next book has left me waiting until I can get my hands on the next one.

This is a very different read from ‘She Smells the Dead’ but it is still an amazing read so if you liked SSTD I highly recommend you read this series as well.



Rate: Over all I give this book from 1, I couldn't finish it to 10, unputdownable, I rank this book an 9 ½ .


Reviewer: Bec